HC Deb 24 April 1917 vol 92 cc2205-6
17. Mr. KING

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has introduced the limitation of oats and other fodder for horses used in agriculture; whether such limitation has been applied to hunters, hackneys, and racehorses; and whether he will issue an order to provide that all hunters, racehorses, and horses not being employed in economic work shall be turned out to grass, so that oats and other fodder may be saved for human food or milk or meat production?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Richard Winfrey)

In the "Suggestions for Economy in Feeding Stuffs," recently issued in the public Press, farmers were urged to limit the consumption of concentrated fodders, such as oats, by their working horses, and it was expressly stated that no corn could be spared for horses not engaged in productive work. Pending the result of inquiry as to the effect of this voluntary rationing and of further inquiries as to the numbers of horses of various classes in the country, it is not proposed to issue compulsory rationing orders.

Mr. KING

Will the Board of Agriculture give a good lead and example to the country by sending all their racehorses out to grass at once?

Sir R. WINFREY

I will convey that suggestion to the President.

Mr. H. LAW

(by Private Notice) asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can state in detail what steps have been taken to release fodder for the use of small holders in county Donegal whose cattle and horses have been suffering from lack of food consequent upon the recent severe weather; whether supplies have been dispatched to all those districts of the county in which serious scarcity prevails; and whether the Irish Government is satisfied that the fodder released by the military authorities is reaching these districts without unavoidable delay?

Mr. DUKE

The notice the hon. Member has given me is too short for obtaining detailed information. Five hundred tons of fodder have been made available for purchase. I am satisfied that as far as is possible everything is being done to supply fodder to those districts in county Donegal where a scarcity prevails, and that no avoidable delay has taken place. Further inquiries are being made.